Subject: Re: [baidarka] Rib stock
From: Peter Chopelas (pac@premier1.net)
Date: Mon Nov 08 2004 - 20:58:25 EST
> We have located air dried cherry wood.
> Could we use this for steam bending ribs?
I am not familiar with its bending properties (since I have not worked with
it) but I seem to recall that is can be bent. Actually most woods could be
bent, however the fact that it is dried may present a problem for steam
bending.
This is what I would do instead: boil it. I have found that steam bending
old [dry] wood is very sensative and problematic. But I have found boiling
to be much more forgiving.
For example one kayak I built using very dry salvagved oak floor boards for
rib stock (ripped to 3/16 to 1/4 thick). I soaked the strips in water for
days/weeks, and steamed them carefully for various lengths of time. I broke
or split 18 out of 19, even using a bending jig. I then ripped some more
from fresh stock and soaked only overnight, and heated them in a big pot, to
just below boiling for 15 min or more. I then bent them in the same jig,
failed not one, with only one slightly splitting (at some grain runout),
that I was able to trim out and still use.
One test is worth a thousand expert opinions. Get a sample of the wood you
want use, trim to size, soak overnight. Put it in a big pot and "cook it"
for 15-20 min or more, and give it a try. It should probably work.
One other concideration, is cherry wood costly where you are? Because there
are so many woods that do bend nicley, there is no reason to use costly
wood. If the price is right, than give it a try.
Good luck
Peter
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